Sharon Ponder-Ballard ’86
For Illinois State University alum Sharon Ponder-Ballard ’86, education has always been about opening doors. Inspired by a mother who believed that "reading was freedom," Ponder-Ballard has dedicated her career to ensuring every student has access to books, opportunity, and the support they need to thrive.
A Golden Apple Award winner and the most recent recipient of the Illinois State Alumni Association's Maitland Commitment to Education Award, Ponder-Ballard has spent decades serving students in Chicago Public Schools and beyond. From building classroom libraries when school librarians were…
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